Crystal Johnson, age 86, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, formerly of Garretson, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Anna John Resident Care Center in Hobart, Wisconsin. Memorial services for Crystal and her son Michael were held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. Interment was in the Norway Lutheran Cemetery, rural Garretson. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the family.
Crystal Sharon (Denny) Johnson was born on July 12,1938 to Elmer Denny and his wife Arvilla Roseine Archiquette at the Tomah Indian Hospital in Tomah, WI. She was baptized in October of 1938 at the Tigerton Chapel in Tigerton, WI.
Tragedy struck that same year when her father died. Her mother, Arvilla, later married Kaiser Webster and Crystal and her brother Elmer lived with their stepfamily. Again in 1947 tragedy struck when at the age of 9, Crystal's mother died.
In 1949 at the age of 11, Crystal lived with her maternal uncle Solomon (Benny) Archiquette, his wife Dorthy and cousin Carol Jean. She traveled with them aboard the United States Army Transport Thomas H. Berry to Bremerhaven, Germany where Solomon was stationed for 2 1/2 years. Following her return from Germany in 1952, Crystal lived with her grandmother Effie Archiquette on the Oneida Indian Reservation in Green Bay, WI. A short time later Pastor Seiler joined with Ole and Ida Bergland of Sioux Falls, SD to raise funds to bring Crystal to Canton, SD to attend Augustana Lutheran Academy and Boarding School where she met her future husband. She traveled this leg of her journey alone by train.
In 1957 Crystal married Paul Johnson and would go on to raise five children: Stephen, Michael, Valerie, Daniel, and James. During this busy time Crystal worked as a nurse's aide at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD and then became a transcriptionist of medical records for Dr. Van de Mark. She went on to work many years at IBM where she enjoyed her business trips to Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, and San Francisco. Crystal spent many hours creating intricate beaded jewelry and reading her favorite author, Stephen King. She also enjoyed golfing with her 'Ladies Day' friends at the Brandon and Garretson golf courses.
Sharing her life was a very special and spoiled chihuahua fur baby, Yoda, who was even sneaked into her hospital room for a surprise visit by a special granddaughter. Crystal was especially happy spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren having movie nights and playing games. Later their visits would bring great comfort to her while she was in hospitals and nursing homes. Crystal's final days were spent in hospice care at Anna John's Nursing Home in Green Bay, WI.
Crystal is survived by her sons; Stephen Johnson and his wife, Carol, of Baltic SD, and Daniel Johnson, Green Bay, WI, and daughter, Valerie Carnicle, Green Bay, WI., 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Arvilla, sons, Michael Johnson, and James Johnson, and grandsons Jeremy Johnson and Benjamin Nelson, and a brother, Elmer Nelson Denny.
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